When my husband was undergoing chemo and radiation, I made milkshakes.
8 oz whole milk
1 envelope Carnation instant breakfast....chocolate is best
2 T dry milk powder
1/4 cup egg beaters
Mix in a blender and top with a small scoop of icecream.

Or if you will be taking it somewhere, add the icecream when you mix the rest.
It's delicious...packed with protein and calories and easy to eat.
At one time I figured out how many calories there were....but I now forget. But there are about 25 grams of protein in it. 2 a day is going to be a big boost.

But don't feed him really fatty things as they won't sit well...
But boiled ham seems to appeal and real cheese...apple sauce but it's not high calorie.
But those shakes are really good. Mix up several and put them in his refrigerator in separate containers, and tell him to call you when they are gone.
Linda C

The site below might help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Recipes

Some more ideas below.

Here is a link that might be useful: More recipes

If he is having chemotherapy, any thing even slightly acedic is awful...orange juice, catsup, tomatoes, pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce....any thing like that. No lemon stuff, no sour salad dressings etc.
Really limits tasty stuff....the the chemo removes the protective cells in your mouth and throat and anything slightly acid is paunful. I was so hungry for Mexican chips and salsa I would take an hour to eat chips and teeny tiny bits of salsa. But I wasn't loosing alarming amounts of weight.
Linda C

What about cheese and egg dishes? I'm trying to think of something - quiches and potato/egg/cheese casseroles that they serve at brunches maybe? (I just attended a brunch on sunday and that's why I'm thinking in that direction and because of Linda's comments on non-acidic foods.)

In case that would appeal.....here are some of my favorite recipes.....

OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

2 lbs. package frozen Hash Brown potatoes, thawed
1/4-1/2 cup chopped onions
1 lb. cooked, crumbled sausage (breakfast or Italian style - I use Italian) or cooked bacon or ham
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
8 -10 eggs
3 cups milk
S & P to taste

Spray 9 X 13 dish with cooking spray. Mix potatoes and onions, salt and pepper together and place in pan. Then spread sausage on top, then cheese. Beat eggs and milk (S & P) together and pour over other ingredients in pan, cover and set in refrigerator overnight.

Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour at 350*.

APPLE PUFFED PANCAKE

6 eggs
1-1/2 cups milk
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 lb. butter
2 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons brown sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In blender (or large bowl) mix eggs, milk, flour, granulated sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon until blended. (If using a mixer, batter will remain slightly lumpy.) Melt butter in a 12 inch quiche dish or a 13 x 9 glass dish in the oven. Add the apple slices to the dish and return to the oven until the butter sizzles. Do not let brown. Remove the dish from the oven and immediately pour the batter over the apples. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake in the middle of the oven 20 minutes or until puffed and brown. Serve immediately.

6-8 servings.
From Marlene Soroskys Cookery for Entertaining

Marlen's Pull Apart Bacon Bread

1 pkg (10 oz) bacon
3/4 c green pepper, chopped
3/4 onion, chopped
3 tubes (7-1/2 oz each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1/2 c (2oz) shredded cheddar cheese

Cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving drippings. Crumble and set aside. In bacon drippings (or vegetable oil) cook green pepper and onion until tender. Cut biscuits in fourths and place in large bowl. Add sauteed vegetables, crisp bacon, margarine and cheese. Toss until thoroughly mixed. Place in a 10" tube pan coated with Pam. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Immediately invert onto serving plate. Serve warm.

SAVOURY RICE BAKE
Hot or cold, this is substantial enough to be a meal in itself. It's handy for
lunches or snacks.

Ingredients:
5 cups cooked rice
4 beaten eggs
500g (1 lb) cottage cheese
250g (8oz) mushrooms chopped
2 large chopped onions
4 or 5 medium size tomatoes, chopped
2 cups tasty grated cheese
2 tablespoons sharp parmesan
6 rashers (slices) of bacon chopped
250g (8oz) frozen corn kernels
salt and pepper to taste
3 medium tomatoes, sliced
Method:
Mix everything (except for the sliced tomatoes and 1 cup of the grated cheese)
well. Turn into greased oven-proof dish. Cover top with slices of tomato and
then 1 cup of grated tasty cheese. Bake at 220 C (400 F) for 50 minutes to one
hour until firm and cooked through.
Serves 8 to 10. We make plenty, to make sure we have leftovers, to be eaten
within a day or two. If frozen, it still tastes great, but goes soggy.

Note: You can have lots of fun with this recipe. If you like, leave out the
mushrooms and experiment with other vegetables. Also, the amounts of the
ingredients don't have to be exact. Vary them to suit your taste buds.

When my FIL was going through his lung cancer treatments, he would eat burger king whoppers. He'd never liked them before or after, but for some reason, the appealed to him during his treatments.

He could eat potato soup with cheese whiz in it. Gag me with the kraft jar, but he loved it that way.

For some reason caramel apples were irresistible to him. He really liked to have the apples cored, cut, and dipped into nice and warm caramel sauce best.

Sometimes, he ask for some of the above, or other things, and we'd run to buy it, make it, or get it for him, and after a bite or two, he thought it tastes awful and refused to eat anything more. But, sometimes, he'd get a good amount down.

My MIL was able to make some sort of egg custard shake. You know that nutmeg egg custard box of like jello? She'd make that and add vanilla ice cream and some other things and he'd sip on that for two hours and watch re-runs of Hawaii-5-O as happy as a clam. I think he liked the show so much that he forgot he didn't care to eat much, and just sipped away.

He is still around, however it is interesting that ever since his bout with lung cancer, he has never been able to stomach dill pickles or fresh strawberries since! He has a total revulsion to them.

I've been caring for a friend with cancer - sadly, he died last week. He couldn't eat either, and he wasn't having chemo or radiation therapy. I wouldn't force the issue, especially now your friend isn't able to reheat things. My friend felt nauseated by food, and it actually made him vomit after just a couple of nibbles. That meant that he couldn't keep his medications down. In fact, he said that everything tasted sickly-sweet and horrible. That's his meds, of course.

What little he could eat was fruit. I used to cut up small pieces of watermelon or rockmelon for him, and he was able to peel a mandarine up until his last week. A banana was too much, and too hard to peel, but the occasional grape went down and stayed down. Of course, my friend had always loved fruit. Mind you, he only had a mouthful or two once or twice a day.

Speaking from very recent experience, I wouldn't do any cooking. Your friend doesn't want to eat, and probably can't, and (like my friend) might feel guilty not doing justice to your efforts. My suggestion is just to let your friend decide. If nothing tempts, then so let it be. Instead, encourage your friend to drink plenty of fluids to flush out the toxins. Anything except caffeine and alcohol.

Hugs to you for caring so much.

My husband had to go through chemo after an operation where they had to remove part of his colon and removed the spleen. The chemo literally sapped all of his strength and nearly killed him...it was that strong!!

What really pulled him (and I might say both of us) through this traumatic health crisis, was an athletic health powder mixed into milk. At times I beat up an egg and added it to the mix. I purchased this health powder from a GNC Store. I don't think they still carry the brand that we bought, because this was a few years ago! However,
it was a health drink such as this: *GNC Pro Performance® Weight Gainer 2200 Gold*. Take a look at their web page, or pay a visit to a local GNC Store if you have one near.

Daisy, I know you have a very raw wound...but nutrition is part of fighting cancer if the patient is to recover....and most do recover...the vast majority of people who undergo cancer treatment get well.
Excellent idea Lisbet...there are all sorts of high pro weight gain products that are marketed to body builders. They don't taste like chocolate ice cream, but if he likes tham I am sure they are very very good for him.
Linda C

I forgot to mention.....I also used to include a ripe banana for variety. My husband's case was really extreme! I thought I was going to loose him. He didn't want to eat either, but enjoyed the drink which I prepared in a blender. Dan's case was so serious that it effected his kidneys, which went down to 30%. Those body building drinks are very nutritious, with necessary vitamins and minerals. They come in flavors, too....even strawberry.

Crackers with peanutbutter (which was Dan's favorite) are nourishing!!!

I am not sure if this will get me in doo-doo or not..

Ask your friend to ask their doctor if they can be prescribed some marijuana. I know that sounds "intense", but thinking about this, I remembered that a friend's mother was given some to help her appetite and to keep food down. It worked.

Excellent suggestion, Potpie. I abhor drugs but MJ for this purpose would be criminal to withhold if it helps.

Wow you guys are great. This thread has more responses than any I have had on GW. I thank all for your responses, and will keep all the info. It means more to hear personal experiences and what has worked &/or others tips. He is starting on supplements, but as most of us know they get old real quick. He has lost 70 lbs over the last couple of months. I am not going to save him my desire is to support him as long as possible so he hopefully dies at home with dignity rather than go into an institution.
Anyway, I have been around so much cancer the last 6 years I thought I would share my thoughts also. Maybe another poor soul will someday be in the same boat & these posts can benefit them.
Lindac: your shake idea is great. He has been eating mainly ice cream for the last couple of months, so adding the extra calories would be great. He has refused chemo, but I agree on the acidic stuff. I have helped another friend with meals and cancer, and the tomato stuff always causes indigestion. Fresh tomatoes seem to be less of a problem. Orange juice is a definite no sometimes apple juice helps. The Mexican food sounds good. I tried making cheese taquitoes (sp) yesterday with fresh tortillas from a tortilleria, but they flopped. I think I need to use the rolled ones.
ginger_st_thomas: Great site. It will keep me busy for some time. The Individual Cheese Pies, Macaroni and Cheese, & Creamy Potato Salad will be at the top of the list. I cook by feel, & the recipes give me tips on how to add extra calories. He eats peanut butter, so the snack spread might work.
woodie2: I really like your overnight breakfast casserole. I was making a meal for two people with cancer last night. Sometimes helping people with cancer gets tiring, & an easy meal helps the helper. The bacon bread is also a nice finger food, & the rice bake looks nice and different.
Potpie: I find your post especially interesting, as my friend also has lung cancer. As I am sure you know, it is a particularly bad cancer, & your fil is lucky to be around. I will try the caramel apple idea. You also make an important point. When cooking for cancer, be prepared to have your dishes tossed out or not eaten as these individuals can be picky &/or too sick to eat certain things. The helper should not get upset about this, & not be offended. It is just part of the role of a helper.
Daisyduckworth, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. What you describe your friend experiencing lies further down my friends path. He can eat a little now, but he has been warned his eating will be eventually affected. It is or can be part of living with cancer. Sometimes you work yourself to the bone hoping to see that unique recovery only to see death. You are so very right about letting him decide. Success in helping a person with cancer, in my opinion, is being there for that person in whatever manner possible so they write that last chapter. Your cutting up fruit is a very good tip. Sometimes people with cancer will not eat whole fruit, but having something cut up appeals to them.
Lisbet, I think the brand you spoke of is down the street from me. I am going to check it out. It would be a break from the supplements if he likes it. I like the idea that he could take it with decreased renal function, as my friend has that problem. I will check this one with his dietitian, however.
Potpie, medicinal marijuana is legal in California, although the state and federal government are always arguing as to whether it is legal. I agree, when living with cancer it is time to break the rules.
Lindac again. Daisyduckworth makes a very important point. Sometimes the path is as the doctor predicts sometimes you never know the time the outcome etc. Sometimes the suffering is a long path, sometimes people that should completely go into remission suddenly die; sometimes those that are expected to die beat the odds. I have seen people recover, but I personally do not like the word "cured." It can come back, & I do not want to jinx any good fortune, nor add any more to the wounds of those who have lost loved ones to cancer.

Having said all that, here is my very bland egg roll recipe:
2 carrots diced
½ head napa cabbage
½ onion
10 or so mushrooms
Vegetarian oyster sauce
I used a tad of msg on one batch, but its use is up to the user.

I sauté all ingredients in order of cooking time & add them to the dish. I then stuff the egg roll, seal it with cornstarch liquid & fry it. It takes about 45 minutes for a small batch. It is not a sophisticated recipe but it worked.

Here are some of the other things I have found to be helpful if that person can eat it.

Hard boiled eggs. Easy to prepare, grab & eat.

Cabbage dishes are another good idea, as well as sauerkraut. Good for digestion.

Cooked popcorn can be less upsetting than microwave popcorn.

Broccoli, broccoli, broccoli.

Fresh fruits and snacks always available.

High fiber cereals and a variety of liquids available for constipation.

Oatmeal, if tolerated for a bland meal.

Supplemental vitamins and digestive enzymes if possible. These people need all the help they can get.

Consider decreasing the meat. If they are losing weight, one may need to break the rules & add more meat.

Last tip break the rules now & then. Remember stubbornness can be annoying, but sometimes it provides the fight that can result in more time.

Please keep adding your comments and tips if you think of more.

Baci

I wish you good luck in helping. All on my mother's side died of cancer & my Dad had colon cancer but survived it. Whatever works for each patient is fine. It's great to have support such as you're giving.

Baci, I am sorry...it's the pits....really is!
My DH had esophageal cancer and if you know much about it the usual thing is death by starvation or a stomach tube.
With attention to nutrition, he only lost about 30 pounds in 7 months. He lost the fight but felt fairly strong for longer than the Dr's expected.
Keep pushing the nutrition, he will feel better longer.
Linda C

My friend was just diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. She has been told to eat a low sodium high calorie diet. Any suggestions? She's already thin to start so I'm scrambling to come up with recipes that will help her stay at her current weight before her long journey begins.